UFC women's bantamweight champion says Ronda Rousey may be getting all the attention ahead of their main event clash at UFC 207, but she'll be the one walking away with the gold

By Simon Head

29th December 2016, 1:35 pm

Updated: 29th December 2016, 2:12 pm

UFC champion Amanda Nunes says the UFC are treating Ronda Rousey with kid gloves, but it won’t stop the Brazilian defeating her in the main event of UFC 207 on Friday night.

Nicknamed ‘The Lioness’, Nunes captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title in the summer with her one-round demolition of champion Miesha Tate at UFC 200 setting up her matchup with former champ Rousey this weekend.

In an unprecedented move, Rousey will fulfil no media obligations during fight week - no press conference, no media interviews, not even an open workout for the fans - as she closes ranks ahead of her career-defining comeback.

Even her coaches and training partners have reportedly been ordered not to speak to the media ahead of the bout.

The Brazilian’s mix of powerful striking and black-belt level jiu jitsu will pose arguably the most significant test of Rousey’s skills to date.

Throw into the mix Rousey's 13-month layoff and the odds would appear to be stacked against the American, yet bookmakers Stateside have Rousey as the narrow betting favourite going into Friday night’s fight.

Despite going into the fight largely unheralded, Nunes says she’s ready to put her stamp on the contest and cement her position as the division’s undisputed champion.
“At the end of the day, I’m the champion,” Nunes said, confidently.